We believe that the North End is a highly performing, vibrant and sustainable community.

In the winter of 2011, Greater Woodward CDC and the Storehouse of Hope were asked to host a meeting to inform community around the emerging M1 Light Rail Project. The meeting was held at the historic St. Matthew’s and St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church located in the North End, where residents, organizations, and churches were in attendance to raise concerned about the proposed Light Rail and the impact it would have on their community.

The North End Woodward Community Coalition (NEWCC) grew out of this initial community convening. NEWCC is a community based coalition composed of faith-based organizations, businesses and residents who have been intentionally unheard but deserve to be heard and included in the decisions that impact not only the transportation needs of thousands of low income and people of color riders of Detroit but in every development phase of the city.

Little did we know that our city was headed to become the largest municipality to file for bankruptcy in the history of our country. And the repercussions of that bankruptcy could not be ignored. Our community was faced with “death by a thousand cuts”. We had to take on systems change work with a deep focus on regaining equity.

On May 9, 2012, NEWCC will file a formal complaint with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) requesting that the FTA investigate the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) for possible breaches of federal guidelines as they relate to the protection of minority, low income, and limited English Proficiency populations protected under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

Transportation Justices is about advocating for policies rooted in these principles:

1. Transportation systems must be affordable whether it is a bus or a light rail…it must be affordable for all.
2. Involve public participation, accountability, and transparency…the public voice needs to be represented in the planning and decision-making process.
3. Transportation systems must be accessible and connected…needs to take “transit dependent” people where they need to go in a way that is convenient, accessible and safe.
4. Transportation systems and policies should be fair…low-income riders and people of color must receive an equal benefit from public transit dollars as higher-income and white riders do.
5. Community benefits are largely tied to the level of community investment and advocacy. It is important that the community be financially invested in the project through public funds so that it has a greater basis for demanding fair treatment and accountability.

Our work is supported by primary by small family foundations and individual contribution:

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What we believe

North End Woodward Community Coalition (NEWCC) is coalition of bus riders and their supporters originally formed to advocate for Detroit's North End residents when Woodward Light Rail project was proposed. Since then, a series of deep cuts in Detroit's bus service has sparked NEWCC to work for the restoration of bus service that Detroiters need to get to work, school, worship, stores and for general transportation.

NEWCC advocates based on principles of transportation justice, that residents have a right to good, safe, reliable transportation. We work to amplify the voices and rights of bus riders throughout the city and put their concerns in front of elected officials and other decision makers.